Lady GaGa meets the Queen at Royal Variety Performance

In a bizarre Elizabethan-style dress and with her eyes painted red, Lady GaGa met the Queen last night... after TONING DOWN her act.

In a bizarre Elizabethan-style dress and with her eyes painted red, Lady GaGa met the Queen last night... after TONING DOWN her act.

And, to be fair, the controversial pop star did try pretty hard to observe a bit of royal protocol.

There were no wardrobe malfunctions as she ditched her usual skimpy outfits for a cover-all outfit - even if it was scarlet and plastic.

And she also dropped her distinctly unregal "suicide act" in which she pretends to stab herself and is covered in fake blood.

Although on that one she didn't have much choice after being officially BANNED from performing it in front of the Queen.

So all in all it turned out to be a relatively tame Royal Variety Performance in Blackpool as the 23-year-old New Yorker graciously accepted a crash course in etiquette before being allowed to shake hands with Her Majesty.

A source said: "She was told to say Ma'am... and not to speak until she was spoken to."

In an exclusive interview with 3am before the show, Lady GaGa admitted: "I wanted to do the suicide scene but was told it wouldn't be appropriate. I've also had to tone things down generally.

"But it doesn't matter because I'm a massive fan of the Queen - I was so excited and have even been practising my curtsy."

Lady GaGa's "subdued" performance included writhing in a red PVC cloak on a piano suspended 10ft in the air during a performance of her hit Speechless at Blackpool's Opera House.

She said: "When I first came up with what I was doing, I said, 'Oh my f***ing God. It's fabulous, I hope the Queen likes it'."

Er, yes. I'm sure she did, M'lady. Other more sedate stars at the do, hosted by comedian Peter Kay, included Miley Cyrus, Mika and Alexandra Burke.

Classical singer Faryl Smith led the national anthem, alongside The Soldiers - a trio who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The show will be broadcast on ITV1 at 7,30pm on Wednesday December 16.